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Nsfs2 Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
When vs by the time
Hi,
I always have questions from my students regarding the exact meaning of 'when'and 'by the time',which seems vague even to me, and I my explanations seem unconvincing most of the time.
The confusion arises from the fact that 'when' can mean 'after' or 'at the same time'.
'When she said those words, she sat down.'
'When the show started, she came.'
And 'by the time' seems to have at least one meaning of 'when',ie,'at the same time'.
'By the time he said those words, she sat down.'
'By the time the show started, she came.'
I hope my information is not confused, as this would perplex my students even more.
Any help would be appreciated.
Lots of thanks.
I always have questions from my students regarding the exact meaning of 'when'and 'by the time',which seems vague even to me, and I my explanations seem unconvincing most of the time.
The confusion arises from the fact that 'when' can mean 'after' or 'at the same time'.
'When she said those words, she sat down.'
'When the show started, she came.'
And 'by the time' seems to have at least one meaning of 'when',ie,'at the same time'.
'By the time he said those words, she sat down.'
'By the time the show started, she came.'
I hope my information is not confused, as this would perplex my students even more.
Any help would be appreciated.
Lots of thanks.
Top answer
It was easy for me when I taught English to my students because there is an accurate unambiguous Finnish expression for by the time. You need a different approach, which I might have resorted to as well had I needed it. The point is to have the meaning of by foremost in your and their minds.
- It was easy for me when I taught English to my students because there is an accurate unambiguous Finnish expression for by the time.
- You need a different approach, which I might have resorted to as well had I needed it.
- The point is to have the meaning of by foremost in your and their minds.
- He'll come by 6 o'clock.
- = He will come at 6 at the latest, but he may come earlier.
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1 Answers
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It was easy for me when I taught English to my students because there is an accurate unambiguous Finnish expression for by the time.
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